OCEEMlab is honored to welcome Prof. Steve Constable from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) as the inaugural speaker of UTIG's Spring 2024 Seminar Series. Prof. Constable leads the marine electromagnetic (EM) laboratory at SIO, recognized globally for its extensive instrument capabilities. In his talk, Prof. Constable will provide a broad overview of marine EM methodologies and their impact across various domains of Earth sciences, from the exploration of plate boundaries to geotechnical studies. In-person attendance: UTIG Seminar Conference Room
J.J. Pickle Research Campus
10100 Burnet Road, Bldg. 196/ROC 1.603
Remote attendance: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/99473002506
994 7300 2506
Abstract
Electrical conductivity can be used to estimate rock porosity, tell freshwater from saltwater, oil from water, melt from solid rock, ice or gas hydrate content, and even temperature. Electromagnetic methods were developed on land in the 1960’s and taken into the marine environment soon after, but marine EM remained an academic niche until commercialization around the turn of the century provided resources to advance instrumentation and software, pushing marine EM methods into the mainstream. Now, any application of EM methods on land can, and has, been taken offshore. Plate boundary studies show the distribution and extent of melting at ridges and fluids in subduction systems. Gas hydrate on the continental margins can be quantified in ways nearly impossible with seismic methods. EM methods are uniquely positioned to study offshore groundwater, and could play an important role in geotechnical studies such as those necessary for offshore wind farm infrastructure.
CSEM resistivity inversion overlain on seismic reflectivity collected along the summit of Glendhu Ridge, New Zealand. A strong correlation between BSR shoaling, seismic blanking, and resistivity anomalies is observed. The broad resistor at -21 km extends to the seafloor at an area of known seep sites. Kannberg et al., in preparation.